Google to put digital books on Android

Google Editions

Smartphones as eReaders are effectively changing the way we consume media, educate ourselves and build up our personal knowledge base. Google’s (GOOG) been animate about transferring as much printed content to the digital realm for a decade now, and the Android is helping to take things to a new level.

Google Editions is an upcoming browser-based, digital bookstore, perfect for large screen Android phones and tablets. Similar to other eReader libraries and stores, you’ll have a central account for accessing purchases and downloads, with outlets on your PC, MacBook, and Android devices. Google Editions is expected to launch in the coming weeks.

App ratings go live

Ratings are becoming a big part of mobile apps, as they grow too numerous to track on an individual scale. Google’s answer to Apple’s (AAPL) stricter app policies is a self-imposed ratings system, marking apps for mature, teen and wider audiences. Announced last week, the new ratings system went live for developers yesterday, ushering in a compromise that really puts the pressure on Apple to streamline its app regulations.

Music apps sync the beat

An industry already familiar with audience ratings is music, which is picking up steam on the Android Market lately. A series of releases, and even a price hike for Grooveshark’s VIP service, indicates significant growth in this area. Winamp has updated its Android and desktop apps to support wireless syncing, while doubleTwist’s new AirSync feature offers a similar function.